Climate-related impacts such as extreme heat, extreme precipitation, coastal high-tide inundation due to sea level rise, and bigger storm surges from stronger hurricanes will affect biodiversity, species distributions, and ecological processes and services we historically rely on. In fact, where we stand now, with one degree Celsius of warming, communities around the world are already seeing many of these impacts and are losing species and ways of life that have long been part of their culture.
From PTSD, anxiety, and depression to ecological grief, people all over the world are also struggling with the enormity of climate change, the way it has been impacting their lives and livelihoods, and their own perceived inability to do something about it. With climate impacts projected to grow as warming continues, these mental health impacts may become more prevalent as people recover from repeated disasters and struggle with what the future will bring. However, we know that the need to communicate the science and potential impacts while inspiring action is more urgent than ever.
Results/Conclusions
For scientists, handling ecological despair and climate grief when communicating science may be challenging. At the Union of Concerned Scientists, we have found that when communicating climate impacts and talking with impacted communities, embracing the reality of climate grief often helps people not only understand what we must prepare for, but also helps them prepare. This poster will highlight case studies and strategies we have used when communicating climate science to communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders and making the case for being prepared for climate change impacts we cannot avoid.